The second weekend of the NCAA Tournament is set to begin on Thursday night, and there is one game that really stands out. In the East Region, the Illinois Fighting Illini are going to take on the Iowa State Cyclones in what will be a big game.
Illinois won the Big Ten Conference Tournament this season, and they were dominant in their first two games of the NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Illini have been a top 25 team all season long, but they are now playing their best basketball of the season.
The Iowa State Cyclones are coming into this game with a record of 29-7, and they have been a Top 10 team for much of the season. Iowa State had a tight battle with Washington State in Round 2, but they turned it on in the second half.
Iowa State is a slim 1.5-point betting favorite in this game, and the over/under is set at 146.5 total points.
No Stopping Fighting Illini
The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 84.4 points per game this season, and they are the most efficient offensive team in the country. Illinois will be looking to push the tempo in this game, and they simply know how to score.
Terrence Shannon Jr. is averaging 23.3 points per game this season, and he has been dominant in the NCAA Tournament. Marcus Domask has been a star as well as he is averaging 16.1 points per game.
Illinois does have the ability to be a great defensive team, but they would prefer to try to win this game on the offensive end of the floor.
Cyclones Locking Teams Down
Iowa State is the best defensive team in the country this season, and they have held five straight opponents to 65 points or less. The Cyclones still play at a fast pace, but they are terrific at forcing turnovers this season.
This team has some serious length on the perimeter, and they also do a great job of shutting teams down in the paint. Iowa State is scoring 75.6 points per game as well, and they have the ability to be a great offensive team.
Keshon Gilbert has been the offensive star for the Cyclones up to this point, but he will need some help in order to win this game. It’s going to take a great shooting performance if Iowa State is going to advance.
Illinois Gets Job Done
This should be the best game in the Sweet 16 as both teams have been on a remarkable run over the last few weeks. Illinois and Iowa State win games in very different ways, and each team will be looking to set the tempo in this game.
Iowa State has been a great defensive team all season long, but there is just no stopping this Illinois team. The Cyclones are just not scoring enough points to keep pace with an explosive team like Illinois.
Bet on the Illinois Fighting Illini moneyline as they are going to pull off a slight upset in this game to advance to the Elite Eight.
